Saturday, July
12, 2014
Today was our start, really a full day orientation
with GVI. There are people here from
England, Scotland, Tanzania, Australia and the U.S.
Weather here is a bit cooler, mid 30s, but manageable. We have been told we will have power for about 4-7 hours each day, water is also an issue. There are no gauges in the water tanks which are up on the roof. We have been advised to fill our buckets in the bathroom in the event water runs out while you are in the shower.
Some getting used to after the palace experience but in some ways just easier because our expectations are lower. Two to a room and bathroom which is western style with a toilet and not a squat toilet, which is the norm here.
The bathroom is about one foot higher than the rest of the room and nothing seems to be connected. There is a shower with knobs but only cold water which is fine. I had my clothes in the sink as there is nowhere to hang anything and the shower and toilet are both located in a cube shaped room with the drain in the opposite corner under the sink. I turned on the tap in the shower and the water came out the tap in the sink over my clothes - lesson learned.
The homes here are very narrow and go up due to space. We happen to be on the top floor which is hot but nice … buildings are very close together.
We were treated to lunch with all sorts of excellent Nepali dishes. Their national dish is called momos. These are a dumpling that can either be boiled or fried and they are filled with different combinations of veggies, spices and or meat.
There are close to 10 volunteers living here along with the Nepali family. We are to take turns helping the house mother cook and clean up, wash dishes, etc.
Tomorrow again is another orientation, risk assessment which is just going over more things like health issues, safety, etc. We also start Nepali language lessons so we have some very basic words that we can use to communicate with the kids and teachers.
Our group is the only group assigned to work at Children's Paradise school. There is another person, Daniel who is an exercise therapist and has been helping at the school. He will take us the first day as we are to travel by bus to the school each day.
Weather here is a bit cooler, mid 30s, but manageable. We have been told we will have power for about 4-7 hours each day, water is also an issue. There are no gauges in the water tanks which are up on the roof. We have been advised to fill our buckets in the bathroom in the event water runs out while you are in the shower.
Some getting used to after the palace experience but in some ways just easier because our expectations are lower. Two to a room and bathroom which is western style with a toilet and not a squat toilet, which is the norm here.
The bathroom is about one foot higher than the rest of the room and nothing seems to be connected. There is a shower with knobs but only cold water which is fine. I had my clothes in the sink as there is nowhere to hang anything and the shower and toilet are both located in a cube shaped room with the drain in the opposite corner under the sink. I turned on the tap in the shower and the water came out the tap in the sink over my clothes - lesson learned.
The homes here are very narrow and go up due to space. We happen to be on the top floor which is hot but nice … buildings are very close together.
We were treated to lunch with all sorts of excellent Nepali dishes. Their national dish is called momos. These are a dumpling that can either be boiled or fried and they are filled with different combinations of veggies, spices and or meat.
There are close to 10 volunteers living here along with the Nepali family. We are to take turns helping the house mother cook and clean up, wash dishes, etc.
Tomorrow again is another orientation, risk assessment which is just going over more things like health issues, safety, etc. We also start Nepali language lessons so we have some very basic words that we can use to communicate with the kids and teachers.
Our group is the only group assigned to work at Children's Paradise school. There is another person, Daniel who is an exercise therapist and has been helping at the school. He will take us the first day as we are to travel by bus to the school each day.
Boatman
Phewa Lake
The other volunteers are spread out in different
areas of Pokhara. Some have chosen to teach, work in health and education, and
also working with street kids.
There are quite a few street kids here begging. Many are addicted to glue which they sniff, or drugs. It is hard not to give them some money but instead we will invite them to lunch to eat and have a meal. Even giving them a box of crackers or bread has been advised against. If they receive a new item they just go to the store and sell it back to the store owner for money, so if we do this we are to make sure the food item is opened before giving it to them.
Nepal is the 10th poorest country in the world and it is evident in the infrastructure, education system and health system. We each had to set aside money, called an emergency fund, to be used in case of an emergency.
The caste system is still in effect here. The concept of not marrying below or outside your caste system is enforced. According to some here the caste system is not prejudicial but more a system of economy.
Pokhara is very laid back and parts around the lake can be quite pretty. Phewa Lake looks wonderful from above but like many developing countries, the water is extremely polluted. Not with factory wastes but human wastes as well as human remains, as people use the river banks as a place in which to cremate. Ashes, etc. are then placed into the river as they believe the river a holy place.
Cows and monkeys are considered holy in the Hindu religion. People have cows and goats for milk. The reason there are so many cows is that once the cow is past her ability to give milk, she will be freed to wander as it does not make sense to feed an animal that cannot produce. Goats are used for sacrifices and blessings. Many Hindus and Buddhists will still eat meat but will not kill the animals themselves.
In the mountains, if someone is about to butcher their yak for meat, they will mention to their friend that the yak may fall off the mountain side on Friday. The yak will accidentally be pushed over the cliff and then from that point on, it is safe to divide up the meat.
We are all looking forward to Monday and starting our projects and will see what tomorrow brings.
There are quite a few street kids here begging. Many are addicted to glue which they sniff, or drugs. It is hard not to give them some money but instead we will invite them to lunch to eat and have a meal. Even giving them a box of crackers or bread has been advised against. If they receive a new item they just go to the store and sell it back to the store owner for money, so if we do this we are to make sure the food item is opened before giving it to them.
Nepal is the 10th poorest country in the world and it is evident in the infrastructure, education system and health system. We each had to set aside money, called an emergency fund, to be used in case of an emergency.
The caste system is still in effect here. The concept of not marrying below or outside your caste system is enforced. According to some here the caste system is not prejudicial but more a system of economy.
Pokhara is very laid back and parts around the lake can be quite pretty. Phewa Lake looks wonderful from above but like many developing countries, the water is extremely polluted. Not with factory wastes but human wastes as well as human remains, as people use the river banks as a place in which to cremate. Ashes, etc. are then placed into the river as they believe the river a holy place.
Cows and monkeys are considered holy in the Hindu religion. People have cows and goats for milk. The reason there are so many cows is that once the cow is past her ability to give milk, she will be freed to wander as it does not make sense to feed an animal that cannot produce. Goats are used for sacrifices and blessings. Many Hindus and Buddhists will still eat meat but will not kill the animals themselves.
In the mountains, if someone is about to butcher their yak for meat, they will mention to their friend that the yak may fall off the mountain side on Friday. The yak will accidentally be pushed over the cliff and then from that point on, it is safe to divide up the meat.
We are all looking forward to Monday and starting our projects and will see what tomorrow brings.